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en-usCopyright 2015 AOL, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only.Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/04/01/splinter-cell-blacklist-game-director-now-at-warner-bros-montre/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/04/01/splinter-cell-blacklist-game-director-now-at-warner-bros-montre/http://www.joystiq.com/2014/04/01/splinter-cell-blacklist-game-director-now-at-warner-bros-montre/#commentsSplinter Cell Blacklist game director Patrick Redding left Ubisoft recently to join Batman: Arkham Origins studio Warner Bros. Montreal, where he's working as a creative director on an unannounced project. An Ubisoft veteran of nearly ten years, Redding's previous role was as a creative director at Ubisoft Toronto, again on an unannounced project.

According to his LinkedIn profile, Redding's switch to WB Montreal occurred sometime last month, but the news was confirmed yesterday by Arkham Origins creative director Eric Holmes. With Rocksteady revealed as the developer behind the recently unveiled Batman: Arkham Knight, whatever WB Montreal's working on is currently remaining cloaked.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>patrick-reddingsplinter-cell-convictionubisoftubisoft-montrealubisoft-torontowarner-broswarner-bros-games-montrealwarner-bros-montrealwb-montrealWBIETue, 01 Apr 2014 08:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2013/07/24/splinter-cell-blacklist-up-for-pre-purchase-on-steam/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/07/24/splinter-cell-blacklist-up-for-pre-purchase-on-steam/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/07/24/splinter-cell-blacklist-up-for-pre-purchase-on-steam/#comments
The thing about being a spy is nobody tells you about all the prep work. You have to oil up your sneaking suit and make sure your goggles have fresh batteries before you can even set foot in the field. So, naturally, you can prepare for Splinter Cell: Blacklistby purchasing the game ahead of its launch at the end of August.

Splinter Cell: Blacklist is available on Steam in both standard and deluxe editions. Pre-ordering either will net the Upper Echelon DLC pack, which includes an additional co-op mission, special suit that ups weapon defense and stealth in shadows, plus some gold sonar goggles. If you sign on for the deluxe edition, you'll immediately unlock a copy of Splinter Cell: Convictionon top of five custom suits, weapons and armor accessories.

Earlier this month, we were able to sample a few missions from the single-player campaign, providing us with a good look at Sam Fisher's new team and their distrust of his judgment.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>pcpre-ordersplinter-cell-blacklistsplinter-cell-convictionsteamubisoftWed, 24 Jul 2013 20:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/22/steam-summer-sale-final-day-bioshock-bastion-double-fine-bun/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/22/steam-summer-sale-final-day-bioshock-bastion-double-fine-bun/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/07/22/steam-summer-sale-final-day-bioshock-bastion-double-fine-bun/#commentsThis is it. Dig around your couch cushions, look under the rug and peek between the seats in your car (if you haven't sold it, that is) for any extra change. The final day of the Steam Summer Sale is here.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>BastionbioshockCostume-Questdouble-fineFootball-manager-2012hydrophobia-prophecyjagged-alliance-back-in-actionmacoperation-flashpoint-dragon-risingoperation-flashpoint-red-riverorion-dino-beatdownpcpsychonautsspace-pirates-and-zombiessplinter-cell-convictionstackingstar-rulerSTEAMsteam-summer-sale-2012waveformWorld-of-GooSun, 22 Jul 2012 15:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/03/psa-ubisoft-server-migration-means-temporary-offline-time-for-s/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/03/psa-ubisoft-server-migration-means-temporary-offline-time-for-s/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/02/03/psa-ubisoft-server-migration-means-temporary-offline-time-for-s/#commentsBeginning February 7, Ubisoft will transition all of its data from one third-party server farm to another, and as a result online functionality in most Ubisoft titles will be disabled during that time. Some Ubisoft games won't be playable at all, but that list is rather short and will only affect Mac and PC gamers.

Ubisoft's most recent triple-A titles will thankfully be unaffected: Anno 2070, Assassin's Creed: Revelations, Driver: San Francisco, and Just Dance 3 will all remain playable (both online and offline) during the transition. The OSX version of the original Assassin's Creed, however, will be completely unplayable, as will the OSX version of Splinter Cell: Conviction and the PC versions of Might and Magic: Heroes VI and Tom Clancy's HAWX 2.

The online portions of all other Ubisoft games will be disabled during the transition, although offline modes should still function normally. Ubisoft has yet to provide an estimated completion date for the move, recommending instead that people follow its official Twitter account for updates.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Anno-2070Assassins-CreedAssassins-Creed-RevelationsdowntimeDriver-San-FranciscoJust-Dance-3macmicrosoftOSXpcplaystationps3Splinter-Cell-ConvictionUbisoftxboxFri, 03 Feb 2012 01:45:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/30/ubisoft-says-always-on-drm-is-a-success-fans-are-confused/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/30/ubisoft-says-always-on-drm-is-a-success-fans-are-confused/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/07/30/ubisoft-says-always-on-drm-is-a-success-fans-are-confused/#comments
Ubisoft riled the masses with news that Driver: San Francisco will have always-on DRM, requiring that players be constantly connected to the internet for the game to function. Ubisoft has used constant DRM in previous titles, such as Assassin's Creed 2 and Splinter Cell: Conviction, arguing it combats piracy. Players argue DRM is an unfair, frustrating hassle, and Ubisoft is now counter-arguing this point, with the announcement that always-on DRM has been "a success."

Ubisoft said it has seen "a clear reduction in piracy of our titles which required a persistent online connection, and from that point of view the requirement is a success," speaking with PC Gamer. Ubisoft has also successfully angered many fans, who say its DRM policies only hurt those who pay for the game, and citing previous DRM titles that have been cracked, pirated and hacked anyway.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Assassins-Creed-2Assassins-Creed-iidriver-san-franciscoDRMdsmicrosoftnintendopcplaystationps3splinter-cell-convictionUbisoftwiixboxSat, 30 Jul 2011 14:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/21/cheap-tom-clancy-dlc-sneaks-onto-xbox-live/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/21/cheap-tom-clancy-dlc-sneaks-onto-xbox-live/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/21/cheap-tom-clancy-dlc-sneaks-onto-xbox-live/#comments
It seems Sam Fisher has hacked into Xbox Live, reducing prices on a large selection of Tom Clancy-related DLC for Gold members. What's that? You say Sam Fisher isn't a real person? This is just the Deal of the Week? Well fine, Mr. Smarty Pants. Find the deals after the break.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>deal-of-the-weekGhost-Recon-Advanced-WarfighterGhost-Recon-Advanced-Warfighter-2hawxhawx-2microsoftsplinter-cell-convictiontom-clancyTom-clancys-hawxxboxxbox-liveMon, 21 Feb 2011 13:15:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/14/ten-gameloft-games-available-at-xperia-play-launch/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/14/ten-gameloft-games-available-at-xperia-play-launch/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/02/14/ten-gameloft-games-available-at-xperia-play-launch/#comments
We've heard plenty of numbers regarding Sony's Xperia Play launch games, but few details about what each of its 20 supporting publishers have planned. Gameloft has cleared the air and filled 10 of the potential 50 launch game spots. Beyond Asphalt 6: Adrenaline and Star Battalion, you'll see Assassin's Creed, UNO, Let's Golf! 2, Spider-Man: Total Mayhem, Modern Combat: Black Pegasus, Real Football 2011, Brothers in Arms 2 and Splinter Cell: Conviction at launch on March 29.

Trailers for the two packed-in games, Asphalt and Star Battalion can be found after the break, both of which were briefly shown during Sony's (leaked) Superbowl commercial. None of the games have been priced yet.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>asphalt-6-adrenalineassassins-creedbrothers-in-arms-2gameloftlets-golf-2mobilemodern-combat-black-pegasusplaystationplaystation-phonereal-football-2011sonysony-ericssonspider-man-total-mayhemsplinter-cell-convictionstar-battalionubisoftunoxperia-playMon, 14 Feb 2011 22:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/05/ubisoft-relaxes-its-always-on-internet-pc-game-drm/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/05/ubisoft-relaxes-its-always-on-internet-pc-game-drm/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/05/ubisoft-relaxes-its-always-on-internet-pc-game-drm/#comments
Despite publicly sticking by its internet connection-required DRM security, Ubisoft recently and quietly patched out the connection requirement, affecting "a few" of its PC titles, including both Splinter Cell: Conviction and Assassin's Creed 2. The publisher confirmed as much with Joystiq this morning, noting that the removal is on a "case-by-case" basis and, perhaps in a bid to save face, added that "from the beginning we said that we might choose to patch out games at some point."

Forthcoming Ubisoft PC titles could still contain the highly restrictive DRM, but given that RUSE released this past summer with only Valve's DRM in place, Ubisoft may continue to spare its future PC releases from the grip of its hated, hacked and restrictivesolution.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>drmpatchpcsplinter-cell-convictionubisoftWed, 05 Jan 2011 12:55:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/02/best-of-the-rest-bens-picks-of-2010/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/02/best-of-the-rest-bens-picks-of-2010/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/02/best-of-the-rest-bens-picks-of-2010/#comments1 vs. 100
Remember when Microsoft confirmed that there would be no more 1 vs. 100 and your heart broke in half? I remember that day. It was the first time I'd ever experienced anything akin to an MMO shutting down -- I was an active player in a weekly live game with thousands of other people, and it was closing. Like no other game I've played before, 1 vs. 100 brought together all of my friends -- gaming and non-gaming alike -- for a weekly shared experience. Couple that unique experience with my love for trivia (I totally dominated history and video game-themed nights), and 1 vs. 100 was a clear choice for one of my favorite games in 2010. It's a real shame there's no way to play it anymore.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1-vs-100best-of-the-rest-2010blurhalo-reachjust-cause-2microsoftmobileplaystationps3splinter-cell-convictiontilt-to-livexboxSun, 02 Jan 2011 13:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/26/splinter-cell-conviction-currently-20-from-best-buy/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/26/splinter-cell-conviction-currently-20-from-best-buy/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/26/splinter-cell-conviction-currently-20-from-best-buy/#comments
As spotted by savings sleuth Thrifty Nerd, Splinter Cell: Conviction is currently available on BestBuy.com for the low, low price of $20 -- that's 50 percent off list price, folks. If that weren't enough, those who decide instead to waltz into a retail store can pick up the game for the same discounted price, as Best Buy will price match any online deals. And hey, at just one Andrew Jackson worth of bills, you'll only be offing one American president for access to Third Echelon. Huzzah!

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>best-buymicrosoftsplinter-cell-convictionubisoftxboxThu, 26 Aug 2010 13:20:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/16/best-buy-sale-discounts-bayonetta-dj-hero-and-xbox-360-bundles/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/16/best-buy-sale-discounts-bayonetta-dj-hero-and-xbox-360-bundles/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/08/16/best-buy-sale-discounts-bayonetta-dj-hero-and-xbox-360-bundles/#comments
Frugal shoppers should take note of a massive Best Buy sale going on right now. It would seem everything must go, as Best Buy is not only discounting Platinum Games' excellent Bayonetta down to $20 on both the PS3 and Xbox 360, but also slashing prices across the board on Xbox 360, PS3, Wii and DS games.

If hardware is more you thing, Best Buy has the Final Fantasy XIII and Splinter Cell: Conviction Xbox 360 bundles for $299.99 a piece, with a $50 gift card. Our strong-wristed readers will likely be interested in the DJ Herobundle, which comes with one turntable controller -- it's only $40 right now.

Wait, what's that sound? It's as if millions of piggy banks cried out in terror, only to be silenced. I fear something -- oh, right.

Ubisoft Toronto Managing Director Jade Raymond hopes to eventually have five triple-A projects going on at the studio. Speaking with Develop, she reiterated that the site is currently working on two projects, one of them the next Splinter Cell, and that the Toronto studio will eventually have five "major" projects in about ten years, when it beefs its staff roster up to 800.

Even with such a massive staff, it sounds unlikely all the development for any one game will take place in Toronto. Raymond expressed that triple-A development currently requires several Ubisoft studios working together, explaining that "once [a] team reaches over 200 people - even if they're in the same studio - you need complex management methods to make sure everything is held together; the feature development, the communication, and everything else." A year since its creation (thanks to hundreds of millions in tax breaks), Ubisoft Toronto is shaping up to be a beast -- whether local newspaper columnists like it or not.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CanadaJade-Raymondmicrosoftnintendopcplaystationps3splinter-cellsplinter-cell-convictionTorontoUbisoftUbisoft-TorontowiixboxMon, 09 Aug 2010 12:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/30/source-best-buy-offering-300-ff13-splinter-cell-conviction-xb/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/30/source-best-buy-offering-300-ff13-splinter-cell-conviction-xb/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/30/source-best-buy-offering-300-ff13-splinter-cell-conviction-xb/#comments
On August 2, Amazon is having a pretty sweet deal on the Final Fantasy XIII Xbox 360 bundle, but if online retailers aren't your thing, Joystiq has just discovered from a reliable source that a new initiative at brick-and-mortar retailer Best Buy will discount both the Final Fantasy XIII and Splinter Cell: Conviction bundles to $299.99 permanently, starting August 1, and lasting until the retailer runs out of stock. How else did you think the retailer would clear shelf space for the new hotness?

Each bundle comes with the titular game, two wireless controllers, a 250GB HDD and Xbox 360 console. The suggested retail price of each bundle right now is $349.99 (they both initially launched at a $399.99 price point), so this saves consumers a cool $50.

Ubisoft has released a preliminary report on its fiscal first quarter, which ended June 30, revealing that software sales totaled €161 million ($207.8M). The company recorded a 94 percent revenue increase over the same period last year thanks to sustained sales of Assassin's Creed 2, Just Dance and Avatar. The company also reported "solid performance" from Splinter Cell: Conviction and shipped 1.9 million units of the game during the quarter. Ubisoft will reveal actual profit (or loss) figures for the quarter at a later date.

The company expects sales in the second quarter, which concludes at the end of September, to be flat year-over-year at an estimated €83 million ($107M). The company's Q2 releases are "highlighted" by plans to ship HAWX 2, Racquet Sports and R.U.S.E. -- although the strategy game has been known to live up to its name when it comes to sticking to a release date.

Apple fans can expect two more games on their shiny Mac computers from Ubisoft in the coming months. Ubisoft updated its product lineup for its fiscal Q2, featuring Mac versions of the not-very-Microsoft-exclusiveSplinter Cell Conviction and Assassin's Creed 2. Given the timespan of the fiscal quarter, that means these games will be available as early as July, or as late as September.

The Mac version of Assassin's Creed 2 is currently listed as an EMEA release, which means it's planned for release in Europe, Middle East and Africa. We'll contact Ubisoft to see if a North American release is in the works as well.

The Collector's Edition is bundled with (that possibly defective) USB drive packed with downloadable assets, art book, decals, comic book and other random doohickeys. We're following up with Ubisoft to find up when it'll put two in the back of this sale's skull.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>collectors-editionconvictiondealsMicrosoftsalesplinter-cellsplinter-cell-convictionubishopubisoftXbox-360Tue, 01 Jun 2010 18:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/27/splinter-cell-conviction-now-on-iphone/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/27/splinter-cell-conviction-now-on-iphone/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/27/splinter-cell-conviction-now-on-iphone/#commentsIs it no longer enough for you to be sneaky in Splinter Cell: Conviction? Would you also like the ability to be sneaky about playing it? Gameloft has just released an iPhone version of the stealth action game, so you could be playing Splinter Cell all day, with the people around you thinking you're just texting a lot.

Conviction on iPhone attempts to bring essentially the same visual style and gameplay to the handheld platform, with a similar third-person perspective, cover, and even Sam's mark-and-execute abilities. According to TouchArcade's review, problems with controls and AI keep it from quite achieving that goal -- you can see the guard AI in (in)action in the trailer after the break.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>actionApplegameloftiPodportsplinter-cellsplinter-cell-convictionstealthubisoftThu, 27 May 2010 16:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/27/splinter-cell-conviction-insurgency-dlc-now-available/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/27/splinter-cell-conviction-insurgency-dlc-now-available/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/27/splinter-cell-conviction-insurgency-dlc-now-available/#comments
Have you been denying yourself time with Splinter Cell: Conviction'smultiplayer Deniable Ops because what came on the disc was getting a little stale? Good news: Ubisoft is happy to spice up your life as a super agent with four new maps and added Achievements totaling 250 Gamerscore points.

The DLC will set you back 800 ($10), which is far less than you'd spend to actually travel to the pack's San Francisco, Portland (ME, not OR), Salt Lake City and New Orleans settings -- or on an attorney to explain why you killed all those people in cold blood.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dlcSplinter-Cellsplinter-cell-convictionubisoftubisoft-montrealxblmThu, 27 May 2010 15:15:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/25/ubisofts-toronto-studio-making-next-splinter-cell-and-another/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/25/ubisofts-toronto-studio-making-next-splinter-cell-and-another/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/25/ubisofts-toronto-studio-making-next-splinter-cell-and-another/#commentsThe new Toronto branch of Ubisoft has been operating quietly, going largely unnoticed for almost a year since its initial announcement. It sounds like the perfect group to develop a new Splinter Cell game. Ubisoft announced that the new Toronto studio will produce the next game in the series, and will work on a second, unannounced title with Ubisoft Montreal.

Splinter Cell: Conviction producer Alexandre Parizeau has joined the Toronto team for this new Splinter Cell project. Managing director Jade Raymond told Gamasutra that many Montreal staffers -- "all the core team," as she described it -- relocated to the new Toronto studio. She said that, because of significant investments from both Ubisoft and the Ontario government, Ubisoft Toronto can start right away on large-scale games. "It's a really nice position to be in," Raymond said. "Instead of starting a studio and working on small projects, Nintendo DS or portables, we're starting out of the gate with triple-A only."

The second game in Toronto's slate involves a small team coordinating with Montreal, led by A2M alum Lesley Phord-Toy. She told Gamasutra that the second team "gives us the chance to focus not only on bringing the right people in at the beginning, but putting them in the right place either to train or for training. When we look to grow this second team into a full team, we'll have the core team."

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>jade-raymondlesley-phord-toySplinter-Cellsplinter-cell-convictiontorontoubisoftubisoft-torontoTue, 25 May 2010 11:45:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/18/assassins-creed-2-ships-close-to-9-million-conviction-sales-re/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/18/assassins-creed-2-ships-close-to-9-million-conviction-sales-re/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/18/assassins-creed-2-ships-close-to-9-million-conviction-sales-re/#comments
Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot was fairly pleased to report during today's investor's briefing that two of the company's biggest games of the past year have been flying both onto and off of store shelves at breakneck speeds. According to Guillemot, Assassin's Creed 2 has shipped nearly 9 million units during the fiscal year, while Splinter Cell: Conviction, which only just launched April 13, has hit 1.8 million in sales.

Guillemot is banking on the continued sales of the latter title to increase Q1 revenues 75 percent year-over-year. We doubt the company will have any problem with that. Games which task the player with discreetly dispatching enemies are apparently in no danger of going out of style.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Assassins-Creedassassins-creed-2Assassins-Creed-iiindustryMicrosoftsalessplinter-cell-convictionubisoftUbisoft-MontrealXbox-360yves-guillemotTue, 18 May 2010 14:50:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/17/splinter-cell-conviction-insurgency-pack-coming-may-27-for-10/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/17/splinter-cell-conviction-insurgency-pack-coming-may-27-for-10/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/17/splinter-cell-conviction-insurgency-pack-coming-may-27-for-10/#comments
Ubisoft took the first Splinter Cell: Conviction paid DLC, dubbed the "Insurgency Pack," out of hiding this morning, sticking it with a May 27 release date and a $10 (800) price tag for Xbox 360 and PC. Aside from 250 new Gamerscore points for you 'Cheevo seekers, the content includes four new maps playable across all of the Deniable Ops game modes.

The DLC announcement says that the Insurgency Pack will span four unique new settings: "from the docks of San Francisco to a New Orleans cemetery, a prison in Portland to a hidden research complex in Salt Lake City." Presumably, this paid content won't disturb Ubisoft's plans to release free weekly content. Right, Ubi?

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>deniable-opsdlcinsurgency-packMicrosoftrelease-datesplinter-cellsplinter-cell-convictionubisoftXbox-360Mon, 17 May 2010 14:01:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/14/snag-the-splinter-cell-xbox-360-elite-bundle-for-325/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/14/snag-the-splinter-cell-xbox-360-elite-bundle-for-325/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/14/snag-the-splinter-cell-xbox-360-elite-bundle-for-325/#comments
We know how it is. You've had your eyes on the Splinter Cell Conviction Xbox 360 Elite bundle for weeks now. "I want it!," you say, "But it's so expensive." You're in luck, because it looks like Sam Fisher did some 'negotiating' with Dell and got the company to knock a full $75 off the price, making it a cool $324.99. It's worth noting that Dell seems to have the bundle details incorrect. The bundle includes two wireless controllers, not one, and a 250GB hard drive as opposed to a 120GB model. It also does not include an HDMI cable, an accessory Microsoft stopped bundling with Elites some time ago.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bundledealForzaforza-3forza-motorsport-3halohalo-3-odstSplinter-Cellsplinter-cell-convictionxbox-360xbox-360-eliteFri, 14 May 2010 18:45:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/13/april-npd-sam-fishers-grim-month/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/13/april-npd-sam-fishers-grim-month/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/13/april-npd-sam-fishers-grim-month/#comments
Apparently everybody was paying taxes last month instead of buying games, because despite analysts' expectations, sales for April were way down. As you can see below, sales dropped out on every single console that NPD tracked during April, with the Wii taking the biggest hit, down 50 percent from March. Hardware sales overall fell by 37 percent.

Software sales didn't do any better -- Splinter Cell Conviction was a bright spot and Super Street Fighter IV just barely made the list (which you can find after the break), but otherwise it was all leftovers from March and previous months. NPD reports that last month's 11 percent industry drop-off was the "worst year-over-year decline...since July '09, and the fourth largest year-over-year percentage decline ever." The industry got rained on -- here's hoping April showers bring some May flowers.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>april-2010DSgod-of-war-iiihardwarejust-danceMicrosoftnew-super-mario-bros-wiiNintendonpdnpd-monthlysalessoftwaresplinter-cell-convictionsuper-street-fighter-ivWiiwii-fit-plusXbox-360Thu, 13 May 2010 19:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/07/alpha-protocol-trailer-demonstrates-michael-thortons-sweet-kara/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/07/alpha-protocol-trailer-demonstrates-michael-thortons-sweet-kara/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/07/alpha-protocol-trailer-demonstrates-michael-thortons-sweet-kara/#comments When we last saw Alpha Protocol, protagonist Michael Thorton was being formally introduced. Now, just two days later, he's pulverizing and/or murdering everything in his sight. The latest trailer, as you might have guessed, features Thorton in a variety of combat scenarios, showing off some Splinter Cell: Conviction-esque pistol takedowns and American Ninja-esque karate moves.

Immediately after watching the clip, we felt inclined to alert Mr. Thorton to one very important protip when engaging in hand-to-hand combat: leaping through the air at someone only to introduce your knee to their face is not the most effective way to start a fight. Just a thought! At very least, you kids shouldn't try pulling that off at home. Maybe in Alpha Protocol when it releases on June 1, but not physically in your home.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>alpha-protocolamerican-ninjacombatmichael-thortonMicrosoftobsidianobsidian-entertainmentsegasplinter-cell-convictiontrailerXbox-360Fri, 07 May 2010 22:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/29/this-weeks-free-splinter-cell-dlc-is-the-famas-g2/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/29/this-weeks-free-splinter-cell-dlc-is-the-famas-g2/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/29/this-weeks-free-splinter-cell-dlc-is-the-famas-g2/#comments
It's Thursday, meaning your Splinter Cell: Conviction gun cabinet has magically produced a new something. Last week it was the Proximity Mine, and today it's the FAMAS G2, a new assault rifle designed to engage far-off targets (that you're too lazy to sneak up and around on).

If you're behind on the "Project Trend Buck" initiative (read: free weekly Splinter Cell DLC), you'll need to head to the game's "Extras" menu to get the new items. Have fun shooting dudes in the face!

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dlcfamasfamas-g2project-trend-buckSplinter-Cellsplinter-cell-convictionUbisoftubisoft-montrealThu, 29 Apr 2010 14:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/28/xbox-live-top-20-modern-warfare-2-after-burner-climax-reign-su/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/28/xbox-live-top-20-modern-warfare-2-after-burner-climax-reign-su/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/28/xbox-live-top-20-modern-warfare-2-after-burner-climax-reign-su/#comments
Microsoft's Major Nelson has released his weekly report of Xbox Live activity today, featuring Infinity Ward's Modern Warfare 2 and Sega's After Burner Climax in the top spot. With one last activity update to be released before the Halo: Reach beta, we anticipate an upcoming fight in Xbox Live list's top three. Bungie's 2010 release Halo 3 secured second place for the sixteenth week in a row with EA's Battlefield: Bad Company 2 closing out this week's three-hole.

On the Xbox Live Arcade list, the collective biomass of classic arcade titles solidified Game Room in second place for a second week in a row while Capcom's Final Fight: Double Impact closing out the top three. Other notable highlights include Ubisoft's Splinter Cell: Conviction jumping from ninth spot to sixth and EA Sports' FIFA 10 overtaking Call of Duty: World at War for fourth spot. The full breakdown can be found at Major Nelson's blog.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battlefield-bad-company-2bungiediceeaea-sportsfifa-10halo-3infinity-wardMajor-Nelsonmodern-warfare-2segasplinter-cell-convictionubisoftXBLAxbox-livexbox-live-activityWed, 28 Apr 2010 15:15:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/26/ubisoft-holds-top-uk-sales-spot-with-conviction/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/26/ubisoft-holds-top-uk-sales-spot-with-conviction/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/26/ubisoft-holds-top-uk-sales-spot-with-conviction/#comments
Despite sales for Splinter Cell: Conviction and Just Dance slipping 46 and 31 percent, respectively, the two Ubisoft titles maintained their dominant positions on the UK all-formats chart for a second week in a row. The top three didn't shift at all, as the PS3 and PC release of Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City last week helped to keep it in third.

Wii Fit Plus stepped up a spot to work out at fourth, while Monster Hunter Tri was stuffed and mounted in fifth place. According to Chart-Track, Tri is the most successful launch the franchise has seen on the isles. The only other new title on the chart last week was Dead to Rights: Retribution, which broke and entered at No. 22. Check out the complete UK top 10 after the break.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chart-trackdead-to-rights-retributiongrand-theft-auto-episodes-from-liberty-cityjust-danceMicrosoftmonster-hunter-trisplinter-cell-convictionukXbox-360Mon, 26 Apr 2010 10:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/23/final-fantasy-xiii-and-splinter-cell-360-elite-bundles-40-off-a/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/23/final-fantasy-xiii-and-splinter-cell-360-elite-bundles-40-off-a/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/23/final-fantasy-xiii-and-splinter-cell-360-elite-bundles-40-off-a/#comments
Amazon has a pair of sweet deals for those in the market for an Xbox 360 console. Both the Final Fantasy XIII Elite bundle and Splinter Cell: Conviction Elite bundle are $40 off, down to a much more palatable $359.99. That's almost like getting the bundled game for free -- not to mention the value of a bigger, beefier 250gb hard drive and an extra controller.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bundlefinal-fantasyfinal-fantasy-13final-fantasy-xiiiMicrosoftrpgSplinter-Cellsplinter-cell-convictionsquare-enixstealthubisoftubisoft-montrealXbox-360Fri, 23 Apr 2010 13:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/22/ubisoft-always-on-drm-hated-hacked-circle-of-life-continues/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/22/ubisoft-always-on-drm-hated-hacked-circle-of-life-continues/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/22/ubisoft-always-on-drm-hated-hacked-circle-of-life-continues/#comments
Ah, the circle of life. Here's how it works: Game developers claim they've created some sort of unbreakable DRM that will lock pirates out, and then the pirates break their way in, leading to even more repressive forms of DRM. The snake has eaten its own tail once again, as Ubisoft's "Online Services Network" - also known as the obnoxious "always on" DRM that's already caused problems for paying customers - has reportedly been hacked. The hack, by a group named Skid Row allows users to circumvent the DRM entirely and play the affected games without connecting to Ubisoft's authentication servers.

In a statement attached to the crack's release, Skid Row proclaims that their crack "can't be compared" to other ways of hacking the games (which include having the software check in with an unofficial server), and that Ubisoft should "next time focus on the game and not on the DRM. It was probably horrible for all legit users. We just make their lifes [sic] easier."

This crack is specifically for Assassin's Creed II but if the method works, it could theoretically be tweaked to include all of the games protected in this manner, including the upcoming Splinter Cell: Conviction. And thus, the circle, the circle of life continues on.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>always-onassassins-creed-2authentication-servercrackedcrackersdrmhackedhackersonline-services-networkskid-rowsplinter-cell-convictionubisoftThu, 22 Apr 2010 20:14:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/19/ubisoft-getting-greener-by-ditching-paper-manuals/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/19/ubisoft-getting-greener-by-ditching-paper-manuals/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/19/ubisoft-getting-greener-by-ditching-paper-manuals/#commentsUbisoft will cease including paper instruction manuals inside its Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 boxed games, starting with this holiday's Shaun White Skateboarding (as revealed in an announcement that quietly confirms the PS3 and Xbox 360 versions of Shaun White Skateboarding). In place of a paper manual, a digital manual will be provided and accessible in-game. Digital manuals are often more convenient than paper ones (except if you're trying to read one on your way back from the store) and are already becoming commonplace with the proliferation of downloadable games. Plus, we're not exactly going to lament the loss of the no-frills, black-and-white manuals most games include nowadays. But how does Shaun White feel about it?

"It's pretty cool that Ubisoft is making a conscious effort to go green with its new video game packaging," White said in a canned statement. "I'm excited for my new skateboarding game to come out and stoked that it will be the very first Ubisoft game to be part of their green packaging initiatives."

In addition to saving money for Ubisoft, scaling back on paper manuals -- no plans to extend the initiative to Wii, DS or PSP games were announced -- is part of an environmentally-conscious program from the publisher that also introduces a new recycled "ecoTech" case for PC games packaging. Splinter Cell: Conviction will be the publisher's first PC game to sport the new box when it arrives at retailers next week.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>casesdigital-manualecotechenvironmentalgame-manualgreeninstruction-manualmanualsMicrosoftretailshaun-white-skateboardingsplinter-cell-convictionubisoftXbox-360Mon, 19 Apr 2010 17:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/19/new-zealand-police-respond-to-splinter-cell-stunt-involving-gun/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/19/new-zealand-police-respond-to-splinter-cell-stunt-involving-gun/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/19/new-zealand-police-respond-to-splinter-cell-stunt-involving-gun/#comments
A Splinter Cell: Conviction marketing stunt went a bit too far in Auckland, New Zealand. According to the New Zealand Herald, a man with bandages on his hands pointed a fake gun at the patrons of a bar, who responded by diving under tables and calling the police. The money quote comes from Senior Sergeant Ben Offner, who said, "We consider these types of stunts to be very ill-advised and have real concerns a similar one may one day end in tragedy." Er, "ill-advised" would be putting it lightly.

The company responsible for the stunt, The Monaco Corporation, claims it hired another marketing company to organize the promotion and didn't know a gun would be used. It apologized for the stunt, with a spokesperson stating it was "marketing gone wrong." So wrong, in fact, that the report refers to the game as "Splinter Cell: Evolution." The situation sounds a lot worse than it apparently was, as police only "cautioned" two men at the scene.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bad-marketingbusinessmarketingMicrosoftsplinter-cell-convictionubisoftviral-marketingXbox-360Mon, 19 Apr 2010 11:45:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/19/splinter-cell-takes-top-uk-sales-spot-with-conviction/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/19/splinter-cell-takes-top-uk-sales-spot-with-conviction/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/19/splinter-cell-takes-top-uk-sales-spot-with-conviction/#commentsJust Dance will just have to wait for its turn back at the top of the UK all-formats sales chart, as Splinter Cell: Conviction has debonairly cut in this week. Although it may appear that the two Ubisoft published titles are in a sashay for supremacy, history has taught us that Just Dance will keep gyrating high above the charts long after Sam Fisher's latest adventure holds the bargain bin hostage.

The PS3 and PC release of the faaaaa-bulous and leather-heavy Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City sent the title motoring up the charts to third. Battlefield: Bad Company 2 lost an M-COM station and slipped two spots to fourth, while Wii Fit Plus found the power to jump up one spot to round out the top five. Check out the complete UK top 10 after the break.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>battlefield-bad-company-2britainchart-trackconvictiongrand-theft-auto-episodes-from-liberty-cityjust-danceMicrosoftsplinter-cell-convictionukXbox-360Mon, 19 Apr 2010 09:01:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/16/splinter-cell-dev-defends-ubisofts-always-on-drm/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/16/splinter-cell-dev-defends-ubisofts-always-on-drm/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/16/splinter-cell-dev-defends-ubisofts-always-on-drm/#comments
Though public opinion is almost unanimously against Ubisoft's current DRM solution, which forces players to have a constant internet connection in order to play the PC versions of the company's games, Splinter Cell: Conviction creative director Max Béland recently voiced his support for the anti-piracy protocols. "We consider that protecting our PC games is vital to our business and will allow us to continue investing in the development of creative and innovative games on the PC platform," Béland explained in an interview with VG247.

To Béland's credit, Ubisoft's new DRMscheme -- which Conviction will implement when its PC iteration hits store shelves April 27 -- has proven very effective at "protecting" the company's PC games. Seriously, we hear they're hard to get into. Like, really hard. Really, really hard.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>drmmax-belandmaxime-belandpiracyprotectionSplinter-Cellsplinter-cell-convictionubisoftFri, 16 Apr 2010 19:30:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/16/splinter-cell-convictions-digital-bonuses-available-for-downlo/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/16/splinter-cell-convictions-digital-bonuses-available-for-downlo/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/16/splinter-cell-convictions-digital-bonuses-available-for-downlo/#commentsUbisoft's chosen method for distributing the bonus materials in the Splinter Cell: Convictioncollector's edition, didn't work out due to defective USB drives. Therefore, rather than hiding the bonuses inside a stealthy card-shaped disk, Ubisoft is taking the direct approach, allowing you to just download them yourself. Which means that those of you who bought the more expensive version saved $10 for the trouble of having to wait just a few days.

Best of all, you don't even have to have the collector's edition to take part in this offer! Just click here. Now you're downloading screenshots, concept art, making-of video, and more! You're a collector!

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bonuscollectors-editionMicrosoftSplinter-Cellsplinter-cell-convictionubisoftubisoft-montrealXbox-360Fri, 16 Apr 2010 18:01:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/15/splinter-cell-and-forza-gear-on-avatar-marketplace/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/15/splinter-cell-and-forza-gear-on-avatar-marketplace/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/15/splinter-cell-and-forza-gear-on-avatar-marketplace/#comments
Getting tired of looking at the same old, boring Avatar? Of course you are, so why not dress him or her up in some fancy new duds? You're in luck, because two new batches of Avatar goodies have landed on Xbox Live Marketplace. First up, there's a new Splinter Cell: Conviction collection and yes, before you ask, Sam's trademark goggles are up for grabs. On the other side of the proverbial track is a new collection of Forza Motorsport 3 goodies. While there are plenty of items for sale, the only one you really need to know about is the RC car. Browse each collection via the links below.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>avatar-marketplaceavatarsforzaforza-3forza-motorsport-3Splinter-Cellsplinter-cell-convictionturn-10ubisoftxblmThu, 15 Apr 2010 13:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/14/metareview-splinter-cell-conviction/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/14/metareview-splinter-cell-conviction/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/14/metareview-splinter-cell-conviction/#comments
You've read our even-tempered, thought-provoking analysis of Sam Fisher's latest, slightly less stealthy exploits in Splinter Cell: Conviction, but say -- hypothetically -- you want to know what some of our game-adjudicating peers thought about the game. Overlooking your blatant infidelity, we'd be happy to provide you with a wide smattering of opinions. Let's just not make a habit of this, okay?

GamePro(5/5): "While it might not be the back-to-basics game fans were expecting, Conviction is an outstanding title from top to bottom."

IGN(93/100): "Despite a few questionable level design choices, Splinter Cell: Conviction is a great addition to the series. There's no way I could go back to a stealth game as it used to be; I've been converted."

OXM(85/100): "Ultimately, of course, Conviction shouldn't be judged on what it isn't, but rather what it is - and whether that game is worth your $60. Quite frankly, we like classic Splinter Cell better, but this doesn't make Conviction a bad game."

GiantBomb(4/5): "Splinter Cell: Conviction is the most accessible Splinter Cell game yet. It gives you the firepower to shoot your way out of your mistakes, but also makes the stealth side of things fun, rewarding, and significantly easier than just attempting to run around and shoot. Its only serious issue is that it doesn't feel especially substantial or replayable."

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>metareviewMicrosoftSplinter-Cellsplinter-cell-convictionubisoftubisoft-montrealXbox-360Wed, 14 Apr 2010 18:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/14/splinter-cell-conviction-for-42-on-ebay/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/14/splinter-cell-conviction-for-42-on-ebay/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/14/splinter-cell-conviction-for-42-on-ebay/#comments
Sam Fisher is a frugal guy. He doesn't like to waste anything. Why waste two whole bullets to execute a hapless goon when you only need one, right? In that same spirit, tipsters have informed us that Buy.com's eBay store has for Splinter Cell: Conviction priced to move at only $41.99. Oh, and that includes free shipping. That, ladies and gentlemen, is a deal worthy of Sam "Mr. Frugal" Fisher any day of the week.

Well, well, well, look who just snuck into Joystiq HQ's West Virginia Sub-Station. It's Sam Fisher with the Splinter Cell: Conviction Starter Kit, including the Xbox 360 game, the novelization and some related paraphernalia. Check out the video above to see me dissect the whole thing's innards.

Now, want a chance to win it all? Sure, no problem. Just follow the simple rules for entry below and you could be Krav Maga-ing fools in no time.

What is Joyswag? Since we don't keep the games and merchandise we receive for review or promotional purposes, it becomes "Joyswag," which is passed along to our readers. Please note that Joyswag may be in "used" condition.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>joyswagMicrosoftsplinter-cell-convictionsplinter-cell-conviction-starter-kitXbox-360Wed, 14 Apr 2010 15:00:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/14/free-splinter-cell-conviction-dlc-every-thursday/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/14/free-splinter-cell-conviction-dlc-every-thursday/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/14/free-splinter-cell-conviction-dlc-every-thursday/#commentsUbisoft has announced an ongoing DLC strategy for Splinter Cell: Conviction. Through an initiative we've dubbed "Project Trend Buck," starting now and following on a weekly basis, a new downloadable item will be released via Conviction's "Extras" menu for free each week for an unspecified time period.

This week, it's the MP7A1 Machine Pistol (pictured above). Future content will include more weapons, character skins and even a new Deniable Ops multiplayer map. Additionally, through the built-in Uplay service, players can unlock tokens to spend on more free content for use in the game.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dlcfreeMicrosoftproject-trend-buckSplinter-Cellsplinter-cell-convictionubisoftubisoft-montrealXbox-360Wed, 14 Apr 2010 12:34:00 ESThttp://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/13/splinter-cell-conviction-freezing-glitch-video-and-workaround/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/13/splinter-cell-conviction-freezing-glitch-video-and-workaround/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/13/splinter-cell-conviction-freezing-glitch-video-and-workaround/#commentsUpdate: Both Xbox Support and an Ubisoft representative have confirmed the issue has been resolved. Happy badassing!

Original: If you've played beyond the first mission of Splinter Cell: Conviction while connected to Xbox Live, you've likely run into a freezing glitch. A few minutes into the single-player campaign's second mission, the game just locks up -- but there's hope!

Thanks to a pretty comprehensive thread on the Ubisoft Forums, a temporary workaround has been discovered, which requires clearing the system hard drive cache and logging out of Xbox Live. "I assure you everyone is hard at work to resolve the issue," posted an Ubisoft technical support representative, who could not confirm when players can expect an official patch.